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(No Model.)

A. J. BIGELOW'. WAsHlNG MACHINE.

lINrrnn STATES PATENT Ormes.

ALLEN J. BIGELOW, OF OGDENYSBUR-G, NEW YORK.

WASHING -MACHINE SPECIFICATION forming part of 'Letters Patent No. 358,329, dated yFebruary 22, 1887.

Application filed October 7, 1886. Serial No. 2l5,594.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN J. BIGELOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ogdensburg, in the county of St. Lawrence and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing- Machines, of which the following isa specincation, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My present invention relates to improvements in washing-machines of the same class as the one covered by Letters Patent No. 344,237, granted to me June 22, 1886; and its objects are to increase the efficiency ofthe operating mechanism and to simplify the adjustment of the same. These objects I attain by means of the construction., combination, and arrangement of the several parts of the machine, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which* Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section, on the line w m, Fig. 1,1ookingto the rear. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the drive-shaft-carrying arm, and Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the operating-cams.

A indicates the tub, and B the pounders or rubbers depending from the cross-bar C and secured to the standard D, all constructed and arranged as shown and describedin my abovementioned Patent No. 344,237. The cross-bar C is provided on its rear side with an offset or casting,to which I pivotally secure the bar E, provided with a series of notches, e, the function of which will be hereinafter specified.

F is the operatingshaft provided on one end with a fly-wheel, G, and on the other with a crank, II, as shown.

Between the sides of the tub A, along the shaft F, I provide a series of double eccentrics or cams, I, which, in the ,operation of the machine, impinge against the rear side of the standards of the pounders or rubbers and impart motion to the same. The adjacent eccentrics are arranged at right angles to each other, as clearly shown, so as to impart an alternating movement to the rubbers, as will be understood. Each eccentric of the series is secured to the ears J of the sleeve K, which is keyed or otherwise secured to the drive-shaft (No model.)

F. rIhis arrangement facilitates repairing' in case one of the eccentrics is broken.

' L L are two arms, which are pivotally secured at their lower ends to the opposite sides of the tub, and which are provided with boxes Z l, within which the operating-shaft is jour-A naled. The upper ends of the arms L L are connected by a crossbar, M, to which I secure alever, N, the upperend of which engages the notches in the underv edge 0f the bar E, and thereby holds the driving mechanism in any position to which it may be adj usted.

In order that the pounder or rubber arms may not be Worn away by theaction of the eccentrics I, I provide friction-rollers O, journaled in castings P, secured to the rear side of the pounder-arms, as shown. These rollers receive the blow of the eccentrics and reduce the friction between the contacting-surfaces, thereby contributing to the ease and rapidity with which the machine may be operated.

Q Q are retracting-springs having one end securely attached to the lower ends of the standards of the pounders or rubber-arms, or to the rear sides of the rubbers, and their opposite ends secured to the sliding bars R R, having their rear ends resting on the rear edge of the tub, and their forward ends partly encircling the shaft F. rIhe springs draw the rubbers toward the operating-shaft, and consequentl y hold the rollers O in engagement with the eccentrics-I, and by the arrangement shown and just described the tension of the springs is uniform. The sliding bars RR could be dispensed with, however, and the rear ends of the springs secured to the tub, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings.

The operation of my machine in washing clot-hes is substantially the same as my former machine; but in order to adjust the present machine to the quantity of clothing being washed it is only necessary to disengage the end of the lever N from the notched bar E and move the said lever forward or backward until the desired position has been reached, when it is made to re-engage the bar E, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

ism

. tially as described.

1. In a washing-machine of the character described, the combination, with a series of pivoted depending pounder-arms provided with pounder-s and anti-friction bearings, of a transverse shaft journaled in movable bearings and provided with suitable operating means, a series `of elongated cams upon the said shaft, the adjacent cams being arranged alternately and adapted to operate the pounders, and a series of retracting-springs connected to the said pounders to keep them in contact with the cams upon the shaft, substan- 2. In a washing-mechine, the combination, with the tub and pounders and pounderarms, ofatrausverse shaftjournaledin movable bearings, a series of cams secured upon the said shaft` movable bars supported by the said shaft and the end of the tub and adapted to move with the shaft, and a series of retractingsprings connecting the pounder-arms with the said movable bars, substantially as described. l 3. The combination, with the ponnders and l the operating mechanism, of anotched bar extending from the pounder-supports, and a lever extending from the operating mechanism and engaging the notched bar, whereby the entire apparatus may be adjusted to the quantity of clothes in the tubs, substantially as specified.

4. The combination, with the pounders, the pouuder-supports, and a notched bar extending therefrom, of the drive-shaft carrying the operating mechanism, a pair` of arms pivoted to the tub and carrying thedrive-shaft, a crossbar connecting the said arms, and a lever extending from said Vcross-bar and engaging the notched bar extending from the pounder-supports, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALLEN J. BIGELOVV.

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. 'VAN KEMREN, XVILLHM H. WRIGHT. 

